DIN Rail Mounted Cable Channel for Wire Management

thingiverse

Background: Here at ECPI University, we are trying out something new in one of our PLC programming classes. We are teaching students to wire up their Programmable Logic Controller inside a small NEMA enclosure containing DIN rails and the Human Machine Interface (HMI) mounted to the door panel. This makes it a miniature version of automation and control cabinets found on factory floors. Problem: Students found cable organization a bit difficult simply using tie wraps, Velcro wraps, and other bundling methods. You can see a couple of their final projects here: https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:share:6573281227481108480 and here: https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:share:6573274606646411264 My Idea: After attending some Panel Building classes, I learned that companies such as Panduit make cable channels that are easy to use - but I could not find any that snapped on to a DIN rail (although I was told they exist). My idea was to use some examples on www.Thingiverse.com including cable ducts like this one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3775502 and DIN Rail mountings like this one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2613804 and mash them up somehow. The End Result: In the end, I came up with this modular design that has student snap cable duct elements on to the DIN rail in groups of 4, plus a snap on lid, for a total solution that looks neat and sharp. I am teaching a new cohort of students right now - so I'll let you know how it goes!